Nova Scotia’s apple crop is forecast at about 2.2 million bushels in 2026, up roughly 30 per cent from 1.7 million bushels last year, according to the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association.
The province has 2,093 hectares of apple orchards. Following drought conditions in 2025, which resulted in smaller fruit and stressed trees, growers are reporting larger fruit and higher yields this season. Rainfall during summer supported fruit sizing, while a cool spring delayed flowering.
Early apple varieties including Sunrise, Gravenstein, and SweeTango are already being harvested. At Gates U-Pick in Port Williams, harvesting has started for Gravenstein, McIntosh, and Zestar apples, along with Clapp and Bartlett pears. Later apple varieties include Cortland, Red Delicious, and Russet.
At Willowbank U-Pick, Gravenstein harvesting is scheduled to begin on September 12, followed by McIntosh and Cortland later in the month. Honeycrisp is expected around September 25, with Gala, Ambrosia, Golden Delicious, and other varieties following in October.
Growers continue to monitor export conditions. Around 90 per cent of Nova Scotia’s apple exports are shipped to the United States, with Honeycrisp an important variety for this trade. The industry has not reported immediate tariff impacts on apple exports but is monitoring costs for equipment, materials, supplies, and fertilizer.